Silencing the Scoffer
21 October 2024
ENCOURAGE
Affirmation: "I will let my life testify."
As we enter this new week, I want to encourage you to silence the scoffers.
I know that sounds wild, but let me explain.
Do you remember what happened on the Day of Pentecost right after the Holy Spirit filled the apostles and 100+ disciples? They began to speak in other tongues!
Now, if that’s not a grand entrance, I don’t know what is! The Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of promise, came and filled them and activated the gift to speak in other tongues (languages) as a sign of the power and presence of God dwelling in them. Immediately, at the growing sound of the utterances, a giant crowd gathered around–some perplexed, some astounded, and some scoffing. What some were in awe of, others were appalled by.
This made me think: Why, in witnessing a move of God, do some people resort to mockery?
It’s often a mixture of pride and unbelief. I'd know because that was once me.
If you read Acts 2, we see both those who stood in wonder of the work of God and those who sucked their teeth in unbelief. The same is still happening today.
As God has been pruning and sanctifying you, have you encountered people who say:
“Oh you’re too good for us now?”
“You really believe this nonsense?”
"Why would you follow a book that was written by men?" (THIS ONE always amazes me!)
“Here you go with that Jesus stuff.”
“This little phase is cute, but I know the real you.” ?
I hope you haven't, but the truth is, people are going to mock you because YOU are evidence of a move of God. People are going to scoff at your faith and your testimony. People are going to roll their eyes at who you are becoming in Christ, and it’s got nothing to do with you. It’s Christ in you.
If our very own Savior had to endure mockery and objection even while He hung on that cross for us, don't you expect that as His ambassadors we might face some of that heat too? After all, He warned us, saying, "if they hate you, remember they hated Me first."
Tough pill to swallow? I get it, but it's better to be 'hated' by the world and loved by God than to be loved by the world and an enemy of God. If you're struggling to overcome the negative comments and opinions of others, or if you're internalizing the voices of outside critics, I want to encourage you to fix your eyes, heart, and mind on Jesus.
When we attune our ears to His voice, our eyes to his word, and place our hearts in His hands, all other voices and opinions begin to fade away. That's how you silence the scoffer.
Silencing the scoffer isn’t about going around and telling people to ‘be quiet’ or beating them over the head with your bible. No. Silencing the scoffer is about tuning out the voice of the world’s opinion, and tuning into what God has said. It’s about letting your life speak of the Truth in such a way that even those who once mocked you will come and ask you about this Jesus you serve. It’s about killing the voice of unbelief before it kills your faith.
I’ve found that it’s incredibly difficult for people to understand, accept, or be in awe of a Savior they refuse to admit they need or refuse to believe exists. Again– pride and unbelief. However the solution isn’t saying, “Oh well, they’re a lost cause!” Instead, we need to remember that those who have ears to hear, will hear, and eyes to see, will see (Deuteronomy 29:1-4, Luke 8:8-10). We need to have the compassion of the Father and pray for unbelievers. We need to apply our faith and say, “Lord, open their eyes to see and soften their hearts to receive You.” Hey, maybe you were once that scoffing unbeliever and someone prayed for you!
My friend, you’re going to deal with scoffers–even our King of kings did. But don't sweat it, silence it! The best way to silence it is by continuing to live in the truth of the Gospel. Let your life testify!
EQUIP
Meditation Scriptures:
Acts 2
Luke 8:4-15
John 15:18-27
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Proverbs 9:1-12
BUILD
Call to action: Journal and reflect on a time where someone was mocking your faith. How did that make you feel? How did you respond? How would you respond differently today? If you haven't already, pray for that person.
